Santa Barbara Commercial Fisherman Sentenced in Abalone Case

May 7, 2014

In the first case of its kind in 15 years, a commercial sea urchin diver in Southern California was convicted of poaching abalone and six other resource violations, given a stiff fine and had his fishing privileges revoked for life.

On April 18, Robert Kenneth Laumer, 55, of Santa Barbara was fined $15,000 and put on three years' probation by the Santa Barbara Superior Court. Laumer's commercial and recreational fishing license and permits were revoked for life. He also forfeited more than $1,000, the proceeds from his sea urchin catch, to the Fish and Game Preservation Fund.

"Because of the depleted abalone resources in Southern California waters, it's been illegal to take them for 17 years," said California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Ventura County Warden Santos Cabral.The abalone found on the vessel, which ranged from 8-10 inches long, would be considered trophy size in northern California, where recreational take is allowed.

In November 2012, CDFW officers were checking commercial sea urchin vessels returning to Santa Barbara harbor when one crew member was seen acting suspiciously. A warden boarded the boat tied to Navy Pier and found Laumer and crew attempting to fill out their ship's logs.

Wardens began inspecting the catch of urchins and found a red abalone shell. After a thorough search of the vessel, wardens found two additional shells and four live red abalone concealed inside a wetsuit.

Because of the depleted condition of abalone resources, the Fish and Game Commission banned all abalone fishing south of San Francisco in early 1997. Red abalone can be legally taken north of San Francisco during prescribed recreational fishing seasons.
 
In addition to the abalone charge, Laumer was convicted of failure to possess valid identification, commercial fishing without a license, failure to possess a sea cucumber permit, unlawful take of Kellet's whelk and possession of undersized sea urchins.

Great work game wardens!

Not enough, should of been a heavier fine, he is a professional fisherman and knew the rules and did it anyways.

What a disgraceful act.
Wonder how many he has poached over the years. Business lost, recreation lost. 

Not enough, should of been a heavier fine, he is a professional fisherman and knew the rules and did it anyways.

+100

make him wear sign for one day a week on the corner of his street....for 2 years...

make him wear sign for one day a week on the corner of his street....for 2 years...

I like your thinking. Even better, have him post up with that sign on the sidewalk near a boat launch at one of the main harbors in the area. Works two fold ... not only does it humiliate him in front of his peers, but it also serves as a great warning to the other fisherman in the harbor of the consequences of poaching.

too funny..I almost went back an edited my  reply to contain that exact idea right after I first posted the shame reply...stick him at the boat dock for two seasons on sat mornings 3-4 a day...like picking up trash along the roads  but better....then let him fish again even???..he would be a lifetime lessons teacher ,to all he met ,I bet

Loss of living (commercial fishing and rec...) fines... I'm sure they took the boat... Got what he deserved +++ and now has to go find a job and can no longer fish in California for life... Time to move to Florida....  good riddance!!!